SIX18 TRAVEL

Idaho's capital city – and most populous one – might surprise you. Downtown Boise is urban, with its local shops, concept restaurants and an ever-increasing number of wine bars and breweries, but it's also rugged. Locals here are active, whether on the 20-some mile Boise River Greenbelt, skiing down the slopes at nearby Bogus Basin or hiking the many trails that spool out from the city.

Boise, or the City of Trees, also has its fair share of history as part of the Oregon Trail. Pioneers forded the Snake River back in the early 1800s just south of the city. Basque immigrants – the descendants of whom still reside in Boise – have also left their mark on the city in the form of food, festivals and more. If you want a vacation that meshes outdoorsy pursuits with an awesome urbanite food and culture scene (at an affordable price), Boise might just be the spot for you.